I am not quite sure why some Germans do not understand that there are differences in the pronunciation and meaning of "ihre (her/their)/Ire (Irishman)" and "irre (insane)"... 
If you say: "Er ist irre" (he is insane) and pronounce "irre" as "Ire" then what you actually say is: "Er ist Ire" (He is an Irishman)... 
